Plans to build 618 homes, a convention centre and an ice rink on land at Madejski Stadium will go before Reading councillors tonight.

The application for Royal Elm Park includes detailed plans for one block of apartments, a 246-bed hotel, the convention centre and ice rink and 102 serviced apartments, as well as outline plans for another 422 flats across six blocks.

The plans, which include the demolition of The Dome, have been criticised by Sport England as they "result in the loss of playing pitch".

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This objection is close to being resolved but if it is upheld the planning committee will have to refer the application to the Secretary of State who has the option of making a decision. If the Secretary of State choses not to do this, or fails to respond within the 21-day time frame, the decision will revert back to the council.

Key Events

That's it

All done for tonight, we’ve been kicked out as the councillors are now discussing a private matter.

There will be a full report on the Royal Elm Park decision later this week.

Thanks for joining us. Good night.

20:14

Thames Valley Science Park

The council must now put together a response to Wokingham Borough Council for the plans for the second phase of the University of Reading’s science park.

The council objected to the first phase and is planning to object to the second phase due to the transport impact to Reading.

The application is being considered by WBC tonight.

20:10

Advertisement consent for Abbey Gateway

This agenda item was pushed back.

It is now being discussed and is recommended for approval.

It is for two banners which will advertise the Reading Abbey Revealed programme.

Grade I-listed Abbey Gateway

The application has been approved.

20:08KEY EVENT

It's time to vote

Everyone is in agreement, the Royal Elm Park application has been deferred to the head of planning for approval following Sport England’s withdrawal of its objection.

20:07

Is Reading FC really a "good neighbour"?

Cllr Ricky Duveen is unsure about the 10 per cent affordable housing.

He says if Reading FC wanted to be good neighbours they would think about the 5,600 names currently on the council housing waiting list.

20:01

Artist impressions of Royal Elm Park

Artist impressions of what Royal Elm Park will look like have been projected the council chamber.

Here’s an idea of how it will be laid out.

There will be a square for the public space.

Royal Elm Park

Flats will be built in seven blocks.

Royal Elm Park

19:58

Transport infrastructure is "critical"

Cllr Jan Gavin has supported Cllr Page’s suggestion for transport matters coming back to council for approval, saying it is “critical” Reading FC gets them right.

She also wants a condition in place about the provision of affordable housing being phased in, saying the need for homes is so great she doesn’t want to “rely on goodwill”.

Officers have said the detail of this will be drawn as part of the section 106 agreement.

19:54

Cllr Ashley Pearce supports plans

Cllr Pearce has spoken in support of the plans but adds the transport must be put in place properly.

But he said “as a season ticket holder for 15 years” the application was close to his heart.

Labour councillor Ashley Pearce

19:49

More detailed transport plans should come back to committee

Cllr Page has proposed the detailed plans for the public transport to and from the complex should come back to the planning committee for approval.

He said the council had made it clear to the club that “unless we saw the level of detail that indicated the modal shift from the private car to public transport this plan would not be approved”.

He added there was a “skeleton” of a workable scheme with free buses, paperless tickets and quick loading, but wanted more detailed plans to come back to the council.

19:43

Development should be motivated by football, not property

Councillor Tony Page has commented to say he hopes the development will keep the needs of the football club and the fans at the fore.

Cllr Tony Page

19:36

Jobs for local people?

Cllr Emmett McKenna has asked if Reading FC will employ local people, even those with a lower skill set.

Nigel Howe has said he wouldn’t be able to run the club with the help of local people and plans to continue this as part of the 1,000 roles which will be created.

19:34

What are people saying?

Here are some of the views our readers have about the plans.

Not sold

An important question

What about local people?

KEY EVENT

Neighbours will be able to help name streets

Nigel Howe has confirmed people in Reading will be consulted over the naming of streets and residential blocks to reflect the history of the town and the club.

19:17KEY EVENT

Reading FC to subsidise buses and trains

The cost of bus and train tickets will be subsidised by Reading FC to the tune of £1 million to £2 million a year.

It is hoped the buses will be fully boarded by a waiting queue of fans within two minutes so the stadium can clear as quickly as possible.

19:17

Could Whitley Wood get residential parking?

A scheme could be brought in following consultation to stop fans parking in residential roads in Whitley Wood.

19:15

Cllr Gavin asks about affordable housing

Cllr Jan Gavin has asked if the developers would be prepared to discuss bringing affordable housing into the phasing of building the residential blocks.

Nigel Howe said he would be happy to talk about this but the first block is likely to have minimal affordable housing as the convention centre will cost a lot to build.

19:08

Commitment to solve residential road parking

Ms Cohen added there is a commitment to finding out what residents in Whitley would like to see done for parking and a financial contribution to solve this.

19:07KEY EVENT

1,000 jobs

Kim Cohen for Barton Wilmore says Reading Football Club is the largest employer in South Reading and adds the scheme, if approved, would provide 800 construction jobs and another 1,000 jobs post construction.

“I commend the recommendation we have here today and I do hope that the members will approve.”

19:03KEY EVENT

Nigel Howe is now speaking

Nigel Howe is now addressing the council.

He says it has become “clearly obvious” that a larger facility is needed.

He also says there is clear demand for a convention centre so the large employers in the town can hold their staff meetings in the town.

19:01KEY EVENT

Four things funding could do in Whitley

Mr Orr has been asked to suggest what Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money could be used for.

He has suggested a new health centre, youth provisions, the redevelopment of St Paul’s Church and Whitley Wood Community Centre.

18:59

Could the plan do more for Whitley and Whitley Wood?

Mr Orr says while he supports the plan he thinks the developers should “act royally” and win the trust of the people of Whitley Wood.

He thinks the plans could do more to make the area a better place to live.

18:56

Public speaking in support of the plan

Mr Vernon Orr is now speaking in support of the plan.

He says Royal Elm Park is an “inspired name”.

18:51KEY EVENT

Objection to the plan

Mark Drucker who lives in Whitley Wood is currently objecting to the plans.

He is concerned about fans parking in his road and the problems with traffic in the area.

18:48KEY EVENT

Sport England removes objection

Sport England has removed its objection to the application regarding the removal of The Dome.

This is with the provision that Wokingham Borough Council approves a scheme tonight to provide a new training ground at The Forest School.

18:47

Open space

The provision is below policy compliant level however there is an agreement for a financial contribution for off-site open space.

18:47

Affordable housing

The officers have recommended affordable housing should be provided on site - 10 per cent of the overall scheme.

However, councillors also have an option to accept a financial contribution to provide affordable housing off-site.

18:46

Transport

Officers have confirmed to councillors that the scheme contains suitable financial contributions and traffic management.

18:43

Key issues with the plan

There are a number of concerns which include transport, contamination, affordable housing and design, the officer tells councillors.

18:41

Royal Elm Park

The councillors are now hearing about Royal Elm Park.

The officer is explaining how the hybrid application includes details plans for one residential block, convention centre, ice rink and hotel while the outline plans are for the other six residential blocks.